Kelly reached over and clasped her friend’s hand. “Thank you for being here for me.”
Jessie smiled. “Where else would I be? I’ve been waiting for this day for a long time, too. You two were made for each other. Jordan’s softer around you, less driven. Given a little time, I think it’s entirely possible the man will get his priorities in order.”
Kelly wasn’t quite so convinced the leopard could change his spots. “I hope you’re right. I really don’t want to spend any more time in Houston than I absolutely have to.”
“Then you’ll just have to convince him that modern communications are such that he can run his business perfectly well from right here in west Texas. Give him a modem as a wedding present.”
“An interesting idea,” Kelly said slowly, giving it serious thought. “There really isn’t any reason he couldn’t operate the company from here, is there? I’m sure all those vice presidents and administrators he has running around over there would be glad to be out from under his thumb. Maybe I’ll have a little chat with Ginger one of these days. She could probably tell me how tricky the logistics would be.”
“She’s his right arm, isn’t she?” Jessie asked. “If you could win her over, it seems to me that would be half the battle.”
“I’ve spoken to her several times when I called Jordan at the office. Her husband is from this part of the state,” Kelly said, beginning to see how it could all work out. “From what I gather he’s been bugging her to live over this way during the off-season. Says he wants to get back into ranching before he retires from football. She’s held out because she loves her job. She doesn’t want to be stranded way out here with nothing to do.”
“There, you see,” Jessie said triumphantly. “All it’ll take is a little ingenuity.”
“And perhaps a little of Harlan’s skill at manipulation,” Kelly admitted. “Think he’d give me lessons?”
“I doubt anything would thrill him more. It killed him to see Jordan move that far away. Nothing makes Harlan happier than being surrounded by family.”
Before they could get any more carried away with their plans, Dani piped up, “I hear the music, Mommy. I hear it!” She started spinning around. Flower petals scattered from her basket as she twirled.
Jessie picked up Angela, who’d been sleeping peacefully during the preparations. She gazed at Kelly. “Ready?”
Kelly drew in a deep breath, then nodded. “Ready.”
Jessie bent down to Dani. “You know what you’re supposed to do, right?”
Dani’s expression turned serious. “I go down the steps and sprinkle rose petals all the way to the living room until I get to Jordan.”
“Exactly right,” Jessie confirmed, and opened the bedroom door. “Let’s have a wedding!”
Kelly watched as her daughter descended the stairs, then began her slow walk into the living room, self-consciously scattering the flower petals. When Luke winked at Dani as she passed, Kelly could see the familiar, impudent grin spreading across her child’s face.
Then, from the living room, she heard Harlan’s exclamation of pride and Mary’s enthusiastic praise of their soon-to-be granddaughter.
“Oh, how darling!” Mary Adams exclaimed. “Dani, you look absolutely precious.”
Kelly didn’t hear what was said after that, because suddenly Jessie was moving down the steps in her pale blue dress and her own grasp on the banister tightened into a death grip. This was it. After all these years of waiting and hoping, after all the disappointments, her wedding to Jordan was finally only a few minutes away. She had more than enough trepidations, but as many as there were, they were no match for the joy that was radiating through her. She was sure her smile was as big as Texas as she began the walk to Jordan’s side.
She took each step slowly, savoring the anticipation of the instant when Jordan would see her, praying that he would be pleased, praying even harder that the cool deliberation behind his proposal would be transformed into pure emotion on this day. When he vowed to love her, she desperately wanted to see in his eyes that he meant it.
Then, practically before she knew it, her hand was in Luke’s and he was walking her into the living room. With no one to officially give her away, he was serving double duty as best man and her escort. He patted her hand reassuringly and leaned down.
“You’ll make him happy,” he whispered with conviction. “Never doubt that.” He winked then. “And if he doesn’t do the same for you, let me know and I’ll beat him up for you.”
Impulsively Kelly stopped where she was and stood on tiptoe to kiss the cheek of this man who’d been her champion since childhood. “I’m so glad I’m going to be part of your family.”
“It should have happened long ago,” he said, his expression suddenly serious. “But you know how stubborn we Adams men are. One thing about us, though, once we make up our minds, we’re steady as the Rock of Gibraltar.”
“I’m counting on that.” She drew in a deep breath, then made the turn into the living room.
She was dimly aware of Mary’s soft gasp of astonishment, vaguely aware of Harlan’s whispered exchange with his wife. It was one thing for Dani and Jessie to be dressed up for the rehearsal, another entirely to see the bride in her wedding gown. Superstition alone would have precluded it.
“What on earth?” Mary exclaimed, gazing from Kelly to her husband and back again.
Kelly was oblivious to whatever Harlan said in response. Her gaze was locked with Jordan’s. His eyes shone when he saw her. She suspected his throat had gone dry, because he swallowed hard.
And then he smiled. Heavenly days, what that smile did to her. Her stomach flipped over, her pulse skipped crazily. Suddenly, as Luke placed her hand securely in Jordan’s, her heart was filled to overflowing.
“Dearly Beloved…” the reverend began.
The rest was a blur. Kelly knew she made the appropriate responses because no one had to
